Summer travel: how to pack hand luggage (and nothing more!) while on vacation

Have you ever struggled to fit your clothes, shoes and toiletries in your hand luggage before your flight?

As summer travel reaches its peak, many people bring carry-on bags on this vacation to skip the checked-baggage queue and save time (and avoid any lost baggage issues).

But how will everything fit into one bag for your two-week getaway?

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Here are some of the best tips for packing just one carry-on this summer when you’re away.

Use packing cubes

Storage cubes can be a great tip for making the most of your space in a carry-on.

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Amy Chan, a former luxury hotel reviewer based in Vancouver, Canada, traveled with only a small suitcase, sometimes for weeks. She suggested using packing cubes for specific day or night outfits. This saves space and helps with organization.

She also suggested rolling your clothes rather than laying them flat. « It allows for much tighter wrapping, so you can put more in and minimize creases, » she said.

Ditch the hair tools

Do you usually take all the hair tools you own with you on vacation? Leave the hair tools at home.

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Hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons and more take up space in a bag. Consider leaving one or more at home.

Most hotels provide hair dryers for guests – and chances are you could survive the trip without all the tools at your disposal. Give your hair a well-deserved heat break!

Take flat shoes

Thinking of bringing your highest heels or thickest boots?

Choose the flattest shoes you own for your trip. This will not only save space in your hand luggage, but also reduce the weight of your bag.

Think about it: nobody wants to lift heavy hand luggage into the overhead compartment anyway!

Wear your bulkiest clothes and shoes

When travelling, nothing is more comfortable than a big jacket and big sneakers. Bring your bulkiest clothes on the plane to avoid taking up space in your hand luggage.

Elainnie Singleterry, a DC-based flight attendant, has been collecting cabin travel tips and tricks for years.

« When choosing outfits, plan ahead. Carrying your bulkiest shoes on the plane helps make more room in your carry-on, » she said.

Plus, you’ll be much more comfortable on this eight-hour flight.

Fill extra space

Wondering where all your socks will go? Pack holes and extra space in your carry-on with other items.

« Put socks and even underwear in your tennis shoes to utilize otherwise wasted space, » Singleterry said.

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Closing the holes this way will help you maximize space in your luggage and ensure you get the most out of your packing.

Do not overpack

Think you need 10 outfits for a two-day trip? Think again.

Hand luggage allows passengers to bring their belongings on board and avoid queues and waiting times before and after their flight.
(Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Fight the urge to overpack a carry-on.

Prioritize your pieces and make sure you don’t pack more than you will wear.

Amy Chan said this is the key to effective packaging. « You need less than you think, » she said.

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Chan also suggested doing laundry on the road if needed.